Broadcast networks cast aside regular schedules for three or four hours. His plain-spoken answers to questions from alternating Democratic and Republican senators offered quotes for each side to latch on to.
"Depending on which camp you're in, you could say that Comey totally condemned President Trump today, or you could say the president was exonerated by Comey", commentator Dana Perino said on Fox News Channel. "The thing is, this was just another log on the fire, because America is going to continue to push forward on this".
Television commentators did not break in to Comey's testimony, but through headlines put onscreen - called chyrons - they were able to choose often contradictory points of emphasis.
Critics have accused the president of trying to obstruct justice in the case of the investigation into former national security advisor Michael Flynn's meetings with the Russian ambassador.
The way Comey described it, when the president gets you alone in the Oval Office, looks you in the eye and expresses his wishes, you understand you're being given an order.
Make no mistake. After a buildup second only to the release of Adele's "25", James Comey's testimony to Congress left Trump-haters weeping bitter tears - the same kind they wept the night he was elected. Grassley is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which he said will continue to review decisions made by the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, particularly with Trump's nomination of a new Federal Bureau of Investigation director.
Mr Comey's evidence, at a hugely anticipated hearing, provided a gripping account of his interactions with Mr Trump and underscored the deep distrust that soured their relationship before his stunning firing last month.
"I don't think there's a judge in the land that wouldn't find it wasn't relevant evidence that goes to obstruction", he said.
"The hearing raised serious questions about Attorney General Sessions that he and the Justice Department must answer immediately", Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech shortly after the hearing with Comey ended. "Comey: Trump lied about reasons for firing", was one chyron on MSNBC. And the only thing I could think to say, because I was playing in my mind - because I could remember every word he said - I was playing in my mind, what should my response be? A private attorney for Trump said the president never asked Comey to stop investigating anyone. Comey wanted to get his account out, perhaps encouraging the appointment of a special prosecutor.
For those who paid close attention, that wasn't entirely new.
Theresa May won't quit despite election setback
My manifesto for the many, not the few. "Both short-term and medium-term GBP's prospects appear daunting to us". When asked about Brexit negotiations, set to start on June 19, Corbyn stressed they "will have to go ahead".
Comey's memos about his meetings with Trump are now in Mueller's hands.
"My sense was the attorney general knew he shouldn't be leaving, which is why he was lingering", Comey said. Prodded specifically by Arkansas Sen.
Fired FBI Director James Comey's congressional appearance Thursday was must-see TV for many, but not everyone caught the show. Subsequent reporting by The Times and other media outlets have verified the reporting, she said.
In his remarks to the conference, Trump pledged to always support the right of evangelicals to follow their faith, which some conservatives believe is under attack by government. But maybe in the classified setting we can talk more about that.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) asked Comey how Sessions could be involved in his firing over the Russian Federation investigation when Sessions had recused himself from any involvement in that case in March.
The Comey hearing was as enlightening as it was engrossing.
"That's one of the all-time great excuses to break a date with your wife", King said. John McCain (R-Ariz. ) appeared confused as he questioned Comey.
Besides the traditional networks, Spanish-language station Telemundo aired the testimony with a voiceover translation. After meeting with the president-elect, at Trump Tower in New York, Comey said he "was honestly concerned he might lie about the content of our meeting, so I felt I had to write it down".
For now, it's a matter of whom you believe, with most Americans rightly wanting to believe their president. Singer Lorde tweeted: "Only in 2017 would one be launching a tour and watching Comey testify at the same time".
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